For more than 45 years, YouthLead — a program of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Youth Ministry — has been supporting the development of young leaders in LCMS congregations and districts. In March, 88 high school youth and adult mentors gathered for four days of YouthLead training at the Pallottine Retreat Center in Florissant, Mo. The training, which includes Bible study, discussion, skill development and community building, helps youth develop leadership skills that they can apply within their congregations and communities.
Joshua Eckstein first attended YouthLead as a high school student. Now a director of Christian education (DCE) at Chapel of the Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peters, Mo., he brings youth from the congregation he serves. Eckstein said, “YouthLead is a wonderful experience for young people to learn more about the trustworthiness of Scripture, to become more confident in sharing their faith with others, and to meet brothers and sisters in Christ from across the country.”
YouthLead’s curriculum is new each year. This year’s curriculum, titled “Eternal Evidence,” was authored by the Rev. Joseph Cox, director of Curriculum and Education at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis. It focuses on apologetics and on how Christians understand and defend the reliability of the Gospels and the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. The video-based curriculum includes small group discussion facilitated by YouthLead’s elected Executive Team of young people.
In addition to studying Scripture, participants learned about how they can use their gifts and skills to serve well across all generations in the church. Toward the end of the event, the students discussed in their congregational and district groups how they were going to take their learning back home.
High school senior Leah Cook said, “YouthLead gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and truly live what I believe. I gained so many … skills that I have used in my community not only as a Christian leader but in other vocations in my life. [YouthLead] also led me to some of the most meaningful friendships.”
This year’s event filled more quickly than any previous training event, with several churches left on the waiting list.
“It is always encouraging to support young leaders, but this year it was impactful to see just how many churches wanted their young people to have access to additional support and training. We are excited to continue to explore ways of expanding YouthLead training opportunities and resources” said DCE Julianna Shults, program manager for LCMS Youth Ministry.
To try to meet some of the demand for additional training opportunities, YouthLead is hosting some smaller, district-supported events. LCMS Youth Ministry also plans to add a second leadership training session in 2027. It will be the same event hosted twice: March 13–16, 2027, and April 24–27, 2027. Registration will open in October.
Posted May 6, 2026
